Our teeth have a clear function: chewing food, helping with speech and a function for appearance. We want to keep our teeth healthy for as long as possible. This is not always possible, a tooth or molar may break off, fall out, be lost or have to be removed because it pushes other molars or teeth out of the way. The tooth often has to be extracted, sometimes it has to be cut out. In many cases, tooth extraction can take place at the dentist. For cutting out or for other difficult cases, you go to the dental surgeon. The pulling itself should not hurt: that is what the anesthesia is for.
Why pull teeth or molars?
The extraction of teeth is also called tooth extraction. This is performed by a dentist or dental surgeon. The dental hygienist is not allowed to extract teeth or molars. Tooth extraction is a reserved treatment: this means that not everyone is allowed to do this. By the way, this used to be different! In the Middle Ages there was the surgeon: as a fairground attraction, people could have their teeth extracted, and this had to be done without anesthesia.
We often have our teeth extracted when they are damaged by caries or periodontal disease. As a result, a lot of dental tissue is lost. Eventually the tooth becomes loose. After a while it loses its function and can even fail. Sometimes we have a tooth extracted because it is crowding out other molars or teeth. We mainly see this in people who have an abnormality in the position of their teeth or a jaw that is too narrow. Sometimes teeth or molars break off due to the use of certain medications. Even then they are sometimes pulled.
Dentist or oral surgeon?
One person ends up at the dentist, the other at the dental surgeon. Both are authorized to extract teeth and molars. In difficult cases, the dentist is more likely to refer you to a dental surgeon. Even when surgical intervention is required. As far as reimbursement from health insurance is concerned, it depends on what type of insurance has been taken out. The underlying reason for tooth extraction also plays a role. Therefore, first ask your health insurer in advance what is and is not reimbursed.
Does it hurt? The sedation
Many people are afraid of the dentist. Logical, because we often have to deal with unpleasant experiences here. In addition, the mouth is very sensitive and pain is quickly felt. Bleeding from the mouth is also more severe than elsewhere. It is therefore not surprising that many people dread it. But sometimes it has to be done. And in practice it is often not that bad.
The dentist or oral surgeon will administer an anesthetic. This is done using an injection needle. The needle seems very large and anyone looking at it may be shocked. This is also not too bad: you feel a prick that is not painful or slightly painful. Most patients do not complain of this pain. The anesthetic fluid can enter the mouth. This gives a bitter taste. A. You will soon notice that the mouth starts to feel numb. The anesthesia works quite quickly, after two to five minutes the dentist or oral surgeon can get started. Sometimes the doctor first checks whether the anesthesia has taken effect sufficiently.
You don’t feel anything from the pulling itself. The anesthesia takes care of this. If it still hurts, please let us know. The doctor will often agree with you that you can raise your hand if it is no longer possible. The extraction of the tooth or molar sometimes seems to involve violence. The doctor sometimes has to use quite a bit of force, especially with molars. The pulling may produce an annoying or unpleasant sound. This can give you goosebumps.
How long does the pulling take?
In many cases, the extraction of one tooth takes 1 to 3 minutes. But sometimes the tooth is so stuck or slightly crooked that the doctor needs half an hour to resolve it. Fortunately, these are exceptional cases. If multiple molars and teeth need to be extracted, this will of course also take more time. Often the extraction of a complete set of teeth will not be done in one go, but in several sessions (two to four). This in consultation with the patient.
Post-pain and bleeding
It is logical that a tooth extraction is accompanied by blood loss: after all, a wound is created in which blood vessels are damaged. These damaged blood vessels leak blood. The doctor will (if possible) provide a gauze that can be closed between the teeth. This collects the blood and helps stop the bleeding. Post-pain can occur. One person has no problems at all, while the other has a lot of pain. An underlying inflammation often causes some after-pain to be present. Even if a tooth is cut out instead of pulled, this can cause residual pain.
The bleeding will stop on its own within a few hours. If the bleeding continues or increases, it is advisable to notify the doctor. After-pain can be controlled with mild painkillers such as paracetamol. In other cases, the doctor will prescribe a different painkiller. If it is not possible to properly care for the teeth or wound, the doctor can prescribe a rinse. This kills the bacteria in the mouth so that the wound does not become infected.
Contact the dental surgeon or dentist if the wound starts bleeding again, the bleeding does not stop or if significant pain occurs. Contact should also be made if there is a purulent discharge or new swelling. Fever is a sign that there is inflammation. You can also call if you have any concerns or questions.
